Valve guard



Oct. 27, 1936. w, BUCK 2,059,085

VALVE GUARD Filed Feb. 18, 1936 WWI/115W if ZZZ? Patented Oct. 27, 1936 UNl'lED sTATEs PATENT OFFIQE VALVE GUARD William H. Buck, Scottdale, Pa. Application February 18, 1936, Serial No. 64,565

12 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for preventing unauthorized persons from tampering with water, oil, gas or other gaseous or liquid control valves.

As is Well known, pipe lines employed to distribute gaseous or liquid commodities from the larger supply lines or mains to buildings, homes and other places for consumption or use are for the most part provided with shut off valves so located that the supply of gas or liquid to a particular building, house or the like may be turned oif at the will of the service company in the event that the customer becomes delinquent in payment for the service, the premises vacated or the service no longer desired. Up to the present time, however, it has been comparatively easy for unauthorized persons to gain access to these valves and restore the supply of gas or liquid withoutthe knowledge or consent of the service company, and the theft and other unauthorized use and consumption of gases and liquids in this manner results in the loss of many thousands of dollars annually to the producers and suppliers of these commodities.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a device which may be effectively employed by service companies to prevent unauthorized persons from successfully gaining access to the shut-01f valves in branch distribution pipe lines. A more particular object of the present invention is to provide a device of the character described which may be used in conjunction with standard fixtures without necessitating any re-designing or alteration of the present construction thereof, and a still further object is to provide a device of the present character together with means for concealing certain details of such device and permanently record any attempt made to tamper with the shut-off valve.

These and other objects of the invention and 40 the details of construction thereof are set forth hereinafter and shown in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in section vertically through a valve housing showing a device made in'accordance with the present invention operatively associated with a gas or water valve and fixture.

Fig. 2 is a View in perspective of the device forming the subject matter of the invention.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a key, tool or like element for use in conjunction with the device disclosed in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a seal and telltale element used in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral I designates generally a standard type of casing or housing commonly used by gas and. water service companies to protect the valves in branch distribution pipe lines residing 5 several feet below the surface of the earth, and at the same time provide a means of ready access to said valves.

As shown, the valve housing I comprises an upper neck portion 2 and a lower wider skirt-like 10 portion 3 having outwardly projecting flanges 4 at its lower end to support said casing I in the vertical position shown. The wider skirt-like portion 3 is further provided with at least two diametrically opposed slots 5 therein which extend upwardly from the bottom thereof to provide openings for the passage of a pipe line 6 of the size customarily employed to connect the distribution outlets of a building, house or the like with the main supply line. The casing I is positioned longitudinally of the pipe line 6 so that the shutoff valve I therein resides centrally within the lower skirt-like portion 3 in alignment with the neck portion 2 which extends upwardly to the surface of the earth and has its upper end 8 normally closed by means of a cover plate 9 removably secured in the closed position by means of a bolt or the like II) which threadably engages a lug II on the outer wall of said neck portion 2 as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

So far I have described the standard type of valve casing usually employed by gas and water companies to protect the shut-01f valves in branch distribution pipe lines, and it will be observed that access to said valves may be readily had by merely removing the cover or closure plate 9 at the upper end 8 of the neck portion 2, and inserting therein a wrench or other tool of sufficient length to actuate the valve I. It will be obvious, however, that' this construction renders these shut-ofi valves accessible not only to persons authorized by the service companies but also to the general public and other unauthorized persons.

The invention therefore resides in providing a novel device which may be eifectively employed by gas and water service companies in conjunction with standard fixtures of the type previously described to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the shut-off valves in branch pipe-lines, and referring particularly to Fig. 2 50 of the drawing reference numeral I2 designates generally a novel guard element comprising a top disk-like portion I3 and a plurality of slightly convex integral resilient fingers I4 of substantial. width which project downwardly from the latter at predetermined spaced intervals circumferentially thereof.

In the present instance the diameter of the top disk like portion I3 of the guard element I2 is slightly less than that of the neck portion 2 of the casing I and the maximum diameter of the convex fingers I4 in their normal static relationship is slightly greater than that of said neck portion 2 so that when said guard element I2 is inserted into the neck portion 2 in the manner shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, said fingers I4 thereof will be compressed and accordingly exert an outward pressure or force against the inner wall of said neck 2 to retain said guard I2 firmly therein.

An opening or key way designated generally as I5 is formed centrally in the top portion I3 of the guard I2 and arranged to receive a key or like tool I6. The key or tool I6 comprises a rod or shaft like portion H of substantial length having oppositely curving elements I8 projecting laterally from adjacent the lower end thereof as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawing, and the opening or key way I5 in the top portion I3 is similarly formed to provide a circular central portion I9 and oppositely curving laterally projecting portions 20 arranged to receive respectively the rod or shaft portion I1 and oppositely curving projecting elements I8 of the tool or key I 6. For the purpose of concealing the particular configuration of the opening or key way I5 in the top disk like portion I3 of the guard I2, a destructible disk I9 shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, and composed of slaters felt, tar paper or the like, is secured to the upper face of the disklike portion I3 by means of any suitable adhesive substance as shown in Fig. 1.

The guard I2 may be effectively used by gas and water service companies to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to the valves in branch distribution pipe lines after the supply of gas or water to a particular outlet has been shut off by closing said valves and is preferably installed by the service company at the time the particular valve 7 is shut off by inserting the same with the disk I9 secured thereto inwardly of the neck portion 2 of the valve casing I in the manner shown in Fig. l of the drawing to engage the lower extremities of the convex fingers I4 with the valve '1 or its handle, after which said casing I is closed by securing the cover plate 9 over the upper end 8 of said neck portion 2 thereof. It will be observed that the guard element I2 can be successfully removed from the neck 2 of the casing I only by a person having a key or tool I6 which conforms substantially to the opening or key way I5 in the top I3 of said guard I2. To remove the guard I2 it is necessary to puncture or pierce the disk I9 so that the key I6 may be inserted through the opening or key way I5 and rotated to engage the oppositely curving portions I8 of said key I6 with the under side of the top disk portion I3 of the guard, and inasmuch as said guard I2 cannot be withdrawn from the neck 2 of the housing I without puncturing or permanently distorting the said disk I9, it will be obvious that any attempt to remove the guard to gain access to the shut-off valve I will be indicated to the service company upon inspection. The keys I6 are of course retained in the sole custody of the service company and the disk I9 effectively conceals the particular configuration of the key way I5 so that unauthorized persons are unable to determine the shape or form of tool that would be required to remove the guard I2 from the neck 2 for access to the shut-off valve I.

It will be obvious that the specific configuration of the key way I5 and key I6 form no part of the present invention other than to indicate that a key and key Way should be provided which will be effective to prevent removal of the guard I2 from the casing I by any means other than a specifically designed key or like tool, and it is further not intended that the invention in other respects be precisely limited to the details of construction herein set forth, but that changes and modifications may be incorporated therein where within the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. A valve guard of the type described comprising a top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers projecting from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said outwardly convex fingers in their normal static relation is greater than the diameter of the top portion, said top portion having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally therein for reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in the top portion.

2. A valve guard of the type described comprising a disk like top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers of substantial length and width projecting approximately at right angles from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said slightly convex fingers in their normal static relation is greater than the diameter of the top portion, said top portion having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally therein for the reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in the top portion.

3. A valve guard of the type described comprising a top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers projecting from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said outwardly convex fingers in their normal static relation is greater than the diameter of the top portion, said top portion having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally therein for reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in the top portion, and means overlying said top portion concealing the said opening therein.

4. A valve guard of the type described comprising a top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers projecting from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said outwardly convex fingers in their normal static relation is greater than the diameter of the top portion, said top portion having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally therein for reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in the top portion, and destructible means secured to the upper surface of said top portion to conceal the said opening therein.

5. A valve guard of the type described com- 7 prising a disk like top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers of substantial length and width projecting approximately at right angles from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said slightly convex fingers in their normal static relation is greater than the diameter of the top portion, said top portion having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally therein for the reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corre sponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in the top portion, and destructible means secured to the upper surface of said top portion to conceal the said opening therein.

6. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion.

7. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means comprising a top portion having integral outwardly convex fingers extending outwardly from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said convex fingers is greater than the diameter of said top portion for engagement with the walls of the neck portion of said casing.

8. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve locate-d therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to' normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally in the top thereof for the reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in said guard means.

9. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally in the top thereof, and a tool having a portion the cross section of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening of said guard means arranged for insertion through said opening to engage the guard means so that the latter may be withdrawn from the neck portion of the casing.

10. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portionand a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means comprising a top portion having an opening therein and integral outwardly convex fingers extending outwardly from said top portion at predetermined spaced intervals peripherally thereof and arranged so that the maximum diameter of said convex fingers is greater than the diameter of said top portion for engagement with the Walls of the neck portion of said casing, and destructible means secured to the upper surface of said top portion to conceal the opening therein.

11. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion to normally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally in the top thereof for the reception of a lifting tool, the cross section of a portion of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening in said guard means, and destructible means secured to the upper surface of said top portion to conceal the opening therein.

12. In a casing comprising a narrow neck portion and a lower housing portion having a valve located therein, and guard means removably located in the neck portion of said casing and extending inwardly of said housing portion tonormally prevent access to and operation of the valve through said neck portion, said guard means having an opening of predetermined irregular configuration located centrally in the top thereof, and a tool having a portion the cross section of which corresponds to the irregular configuration of the opening of said guard means arranged for insertion through said opening to engage the guard means so that the latter may be withdrawn from the neck portion of the casing, and destructible means secured to the upper surface of said top portion to conceal the open ing therein.

WILLIAM H. BUCK. 

